The TSA confiscated this handgun, carried with 15 bullets in the chamber, from a Fallston man at a security checkpoint at BWI Airport. (Courtesy TSA / Baltimore Sun)

A Fallston man was arrested Monday and charged with carrying a loaded handgun at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, federal officials said.

Transportation Security Administration officers apprehended the man with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 15 bullets — including one in the chamber — at a security checkpoint, according to the administration. As the man placed a carry-on bag on the x-ray conveyor belt at the checkpoint, TSA officers detected the gun.

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The gun is the third this month and eighth this year that TSA officers have confiscated at a BWI checkpoint, the administration said.

In 2016, 24 firearms were confiscated at BWI — a four-year high after a growing number (13 in 2013, 14 in 2014 and 16 in 2015) was reported in the three years prior, the TSA said.

The TSA doesn't identify the suspects arrested carrying guns at BWI. Those who are caught carrying a weapon at the airport face charges and penalties up to $12,000, the TSA said.